Reviews:This from Franchise
What a tremendous show last night! Much different from the two shows I saw this summer in Phoenix and LA’s Greek Theater. The Wiltern is a historic, fabulous, intimate venue, holding about 3,000 people or so. Given Zep’s recognition of what LA has meant to the band since day one, to see Robert in this venue was something I thought could never happen. I was about 50 feet away from Robert. Awesome!

Tin Pan Valley – I like this in the opening spot. Did not expect this at all, especially since the last review I saw was Bonzo’s anniversary show in Seattle.

Shine It All Around – I still love this song. Great as always!

Black Dog – This version, it’s grown on me. Besides the call and response, Robert asks us to sing a couple of finishing lines (i.e. “a big leg woman ain’t got no soul). Another Listen to this Eddie comment.

Freedom Fries – Really like this song. Well done live!

7 and 7 Is – Great surprise Love cover. ” A song rooted in LA, by the great Arthur Lee”.

Going To California – Really nice…and unlike That’s the Way, minimal keyboards (which is the way it oughta be). Slip by Robert introducing this: “here’s another song written in the 60’s…oops, 70’s.”

Girl From The North Country – Beautiful song. Must now go track down Dylan’s version…song sounded familiar, am sure I’ve heard before, but now must reaffirm. If Robert releases a live CD/DVD, this cover should be on it.

Hey Joe – Excellent! Robert’s intro: “Nowadays, when I come to LA, Santa Monica is my current scene. When I used to come here in the 60’s and 70’s, it was Sunset Strip, home to all the great bands that played this next song” (he named Love, Buffalo Springfield, Hendrix, etc…)

Four Sticks – I like it.

Gallows Pole – closer. Wished for Levee Breaks instead.

Encores:

What Is and What Should Never Be – surprise, an extra song tonight! And a nice version. Robert hitting all the high notes, unlike Unledded.

The Enchanter – Great live. Interesting to see that Robert’s “I’m free” singing at the end of the song was pre-recorded.

This show lasted almost 1hour 45 minutes, longest of the 3 shows I’ve seen this summer. I think the set is just about perfect, maybe scrap a Zep number (the retread Gallows) for another Rearranger tune, like Takamba, which should be in the set every night. Still, adding a couple more songs to make this a two hour show would be even better. Robert really leans on Zep II through Zoso, must have been his happiest memories. Maybe someday we’ll get latter day Zep, and early solo material. Regardless, 2005 has been a great year of the Plant! Thanks for the great album and tour Robert! Don’t take too much time off when you’re finished with this long tour! You’ve got a great band that keeps getting tighter and tighter with every show!

This from Ravi
This was even better than the Greek show in July!! The best part was being up in front because the floor was GA. He definitely loves LA and talked about the scene a little bit with all the bands that were around in those days (before Hey Joe). He was very talkative last night, made comments several times. I saw some crazy chick throw a book up on stage too, I’m not sure what it was.. The crowd was somethin’ else!! Some idiot was trying to get his album signed during the
show!! And a couple of other people threw notes or gifts on stage too. One drunktard tried to take the mic stand when it fell over too!!

Highlights: Girl From the North Country, it sounded so nice and they even jammed it out at the end!! Thank You was just beautiful and Hey Joe was pretty wild and psychedelic. I didn’t expect that one either! What is and What should Never Be was also killer..

This band gets better every time I see them and Robert’s vocals were pretty inspired too. I hope they start on another album soon!! What a great night. its amazing to see the power of the song come to life on stage like that!!